Family lawyer by James Patterson et al

"Family lawyer" by James Patterson et al - stories.

This book is published by RHUK in 2017 and has 496 pages. 

Family lawyer

Matthew Hovanes and Debra are both criminal lawyers and run their own firm. Matt has a wife Janet, a son Danny who has been in one trouble after another and a beautiful daughter Hailie who is a star soccer player. One day Hailie is arrested for being responsible for suicide of a girl she was mentoring. Lawyer Dad decides to represent her.

Is Hailey guilty? Is it a good idea that her Dad represents her? What does Danny think? Will family lawyer save the day?

The story is built up very well. The courtroom drama, the numerous little surprises in the courtroom poise the story nicely. The tale of and flight is good but the landing is not graceful. Author has attempted clumsily to give a twist to the tale. It's a bit hurried and not in sync with the story. Why Hailey's friends turn on her remains unknown. However overall effect of the story is positive. 

Night sniper

A serial killer, dubbed night sniper, is killing random people in early morning hours, one bullet through heart, no witnesses. Detective Sheryl Mayburn, who has solved a serial murder case, is in a medical facility voluntarily, after accidentally shooting a teenager. Randy Haw, her partner brings her back to the task force to solve the case of night sniper. 

Can Sheryl think like a serial killer? Can she anticipate his move? Will they face off? Will she catch the night sniper?

The story is good. The inspiration for night sniper is interesting. Plan to trap him is also good. What is not so clear is exactly why does the night sniper become serial killer and why does he enter the trap. Story is interesting. 

Good sister

Melissa calls her sister,  Danny, to her house. Melissa's philandering husband is dead and she thinks she poisoned him. They hide evidence. Police unravel that he was shot. 

Who killed Melissa's husband? Will hiding the evidence land the sisters in trouble? Who is the good sister?

Experienced readers can deduce the identity of murderer. A little twist is introduced to strengthen the motive. However, it's the end that scores. There is a twist, an unusual one at that, to conclude the story. 

So,  what are the commonalities in these stories? They are from same author. They are all crime thrillers. They are all narrated by the protagonist in first person.

Why did I read this book? It was on hand.

What I didn't like? Hardly wow. 

What did I like?  Not boring. 

Read of you have spare time and inclination. 

Murder on Olympus by Robert B. Warren

"Murder on Olympus" by Robert B. Warren - A unique fictional world. 

This book is published by Dragonfairy Pt in 2013 and has 376 pages. This is Book 1 of Plato Jones series.

It's a modern day mythological fantasy. Humans, mythological creatures and Gods live in the same world. Plato Jones runs a private detective agency in New Olympia. Someone is murdering Gods. Yes, you read correctly, Gods. Plato is coerced to investigate the murders.

Why do Gods want Plato? What's so special about him? Who is murdering the Gods? Why? Can the Gods die?

Goddess Eileithyia and God Hephestus are murdered. Another Goddess is killed. All the Gods vouch that there is no weapon that can kill a God. Then how were they killed?

Author has created a unique world in New Olympia. Gods, Demigods,  Satyrs, Minotaures, Spirits, Humans, Vampires,  Gorgons, Hydras, Cerberus, Cyclops, Sirens, Vampires,  Shape shifters etc. cohabit and are friends, colleges, strangers and enemies. Humans, obviously, are disadvantaged as they don't possess any powers. Yet Plato is coerced into investigating the case. 

The concept is fantastic. Author deserves full marks for conceiving the idea of such a world and then writing a murder mystery set in this world. Story is good. Execution is decent. Pace is also good. However, author could not help but bring in Hades and Poseidon (two of the three big Gods) in the story,  although that portion was completely unnecessary for the story line.

A new love interest emerges for Plato towards the end of the book. It doesn't end here. Sequels of the book are already published. Plato's adventures will continue. 

Like Rick Riordan, Maz Evans and other modern fantasies about Greek Gods, Gods in this book are not portrayed as divine but as jerks. They are shown as lying, conniving asses.

Why did I read this book? Title, of course.     

What I didn't like? Entry of Hades and Poseidon. 

What did I like? Concept.

Read for a change. 

The Leadership Sutra by Devdutt Pattanaik

"The Leadership Sutra" by Devdutt Pattanaik -  An Indian approach to power.

This book is published by Aleph book company in 2016 and has 149 pages. 

This book is filled with lessons and insights into management,  business and the creation of wealth and success. However the key differentiator is that rather than using modern theories and models,  author has used tales and anecdotes from Hindu mythology to make his point. 

Lion is a symbol of power and domination. That's why it has been a symbol of kings from England to India to China. Leaders often equate themselves with lion,  but the real leader is the one who outgrows the lion within. 

Author makes key differentiation:

1. Shakti & Durga: Shakti is inner power. Personality, resilience,  personal skills are your Shakti's. Durga is external power, either acquired or conferred. Rules against discrimination, position in hierarchy, authority are your Durga's.

2.Aukat and Izzat: Aukaat is status and prestige, Izzat is respect and acknowledgement. We seek izzat of what we believe is our aukaat.
3. Maya and Satya: Both are truths. Maya is a comparison with or measurement of something, it can be judged. Satya is truth by itself, it's absolute. 
4. Prakriti and Sanskriti: Prakriti is materialworld, where rules do not apply and Sanskriti is culture, where rules apply. We control Prakriti with Sanskriti. Eventually, Prakriti wins over Sanskriti and new civilization is born.
5. Property and Territory: Property is something you possess, something you can bequeath to children and loved ones. Territory can't be stolen. You have to fight for it. That's why there is territory in jungle and property (supported by rules) in civilization.

He discusses how material things are coveted because they establish social hierarchy and pecking order. That's why Kaurav chose Narayani sena over Narayan. Tangible over intangible. 

Author gives examples from stories from Purana as well as modern day corporate examples to explain his points and concepts. Thus he easily connects with the reader. This makes the book unique. It is a confluence of modern Leadership and ancient Hindu principle of Leadership, essentially, emphasizing that the principle is same,  only the context has changed. Author stays true to the book title which says it is an Indian approach to power.

The book is interspersed with signature sketches, tables and mind maps hand drawn by author Devdutt Pattanaik. It's a good compact book. 

Why did I read this book? Author, Context.  

What did I like?  Concepts.  

What I didn't like?  Nothing really. 

Recommend reading if the subject interests you.

The four patriots by Sumit Agarwal

"The four patriots" by Sumit Agarwal -  Idealistic fiction. 

This  book is published by Rupa publications in 2016 and has 296 pages. 

Naya Bharat party led by Dr. Sabarwal comes to power on promise of good governance, development and eradication of corruption.

Aditya, Varun, Salman and Raghav are his most trusted lieutenants and are called Four Patriots. 

What challenges will they face? What are their backgrounds? Why are they called four patriots? Will they succeed in their mission?

Aditya comes from a business family, Varun leaves his job abroad, Salman leaves his job in India and Raghav is from the family of politicians. These seemingly diverse youth leaders are driven by one thing alone; patriotism.

The story takes us through the early lives of the protagonists and their struggles, difficulties and battles to make India the superpower; that she deserves to be. The challenges include arrest, kidnapping, murder, assassination, public shaming, corruption and what not.

Although the idea is good, author has spent too much time on the lives of the protagonists before they are elected. Although that part is important, too much of it leaves author short of space for the measures taken to improve India. As a result the second part is very fast. It is unheard of that one person holds more than one important portfolio (Defense and Home etc.), but here each of the four patriots holds multiple important portfolios giving the impression that the party lacks talent pool. The changes they achieve in four years are also unprecedented and hence seem idealistic not realistic. 

Thus, although the story is good,  it does not take grip of the reader. It took me almost two months to read this book. 

Author Sumit is an IITan. The list of IIT and IIM graduates venturing in writing keeps getting longer. It also brings quality and variety to literary world. 

Why did I read this book? Blurb. 

What I didn't like? Idealism,  not realism.  

What did I like? Seed. 

Give it a miss. 

The strange disappearance of a Bollywood star by Vaseem Khan

"The strange disappearance of a Bollywood star" by Vaseem Khan -  After child trafficking and theft, now it's kidnapping. 

This book is published by  Mulholland books in 2018 and has 384 pages. This is Book 3 of 'Baby Ganesh agency' series.

Retired inspector Chopra, now proprietor of Baby Ganesh detective agency, attends a concert of Bollywood star Vicky Verma. The star disappears during the concert. Chopra is entrusted to solve the mystery with discretion. An unknown rich person invites a group of eunuchs to a haveli and asks them to dance and sing without revealing his identity. Chief of eunuchs engages Chopra. Rangwala is assigned the case.

What happened to Vicky Verma? How did he disappear? Can Chopra find him? What is the mystery of the eunuchs? Are the two cases related? Will elephant calf Ganesh play a role?

For the first time Chopra finds himself behind the bars, for life, without anyone knowing about it. His nemesis Suresh Rao has the last laugh, or does he? Poppy reveals a pleasantly surprising side of her personality.

The story is in the pattern that author has created by now. Baby Ganesh plays a crucial role as always. The identity of kidnapper is hidden till it is revealed towards end. I was not able to guess it. However, the reason why kidnapper kidnapped appears to be lame. In this book too, the character of Suresh Rao disappears, never to surface, til then book ends.

The mystery of eunuchs is solved by Rangwala. Readers anticipate a connection between the two, but there is none. They are two stand alone mysteries. The story would have become leaner if this story of eunuchs was given a miss.

The end of book is dragged unnecessarily. The final chapter of making Ganesh a film star appears like an appendage.

Why did I read this book? Light mystery. 

What I didn't like? Little to no investigation.

What did I like? Hidden identity of kidnapper.

Read if you have read the first two books.

Son of Bhrigu by Christopher C. Doyle

"Son of Bhrigu" by Christopher C. Doyle - India's answer to Percy Jackson and Harry Potter.

This book is published by Westland in 2018 and has 360 pages. This is Book 1 of 'The Pataala prophecy' series.

Arjun and Maya are best friends. Arjun lives with his uncle and mom, Maya with her dad. One day their world, as they know it, come to an end. They reach Panna national park and from there to Gurukul. Son of Bhrigu wants to take over the Bhu-lok using the creatures of nether world. Scion of Yayati has to lead a team of seven to fight Son of Bhrigu, as per a 5000 year old prophecy.

Who are the seven? What is Gurukul? Who is Son of Bhrigu? Is the prophecy a fact or fiction? Who is scion of Yayati? Is Maya a Sadh?

Story starts with two murders and two escapes. A powerful being is looking for someone and that someone needs to be protected. The story is very interesting. It has a natural flow. It hardly slows down or allows time to ponder for the readers. Author had used Indian mythology and it's characters wisely to carry the story. Entire story happens in 13 days.

Patala, Powerful Mantras, Ancient netherworld creatures, Atma travel, Mythical creatures, Gandharvas etc add to the allure of the mysticism. Theory that Devas and Saptarshis are neither effective nor accessible in Kali tug is interesting. 

Characters of Arjun, Maya, their Gurukul friends, Virendra, Mahamatis, Satyavachan Gandharva king etc. are rich, varied and properly developed. As the story goes on more characters should be introduced. 

However,  one can't but draw similarities of this story with Percy Jackson and Harry Potter. Gurukul is like Hogwarts or Greek camp.There is a prophecy of seven. The doors of hell are going to be opened.There is a quest. Despite all of this the story appears original.

If the author works on avoiding similarities to Percy Jackson and Harry Potter and makes his work sound more original (I believe there are enough ideas in our mythology), it will be a very successful, satisfying and unique series.

This Book, if made into a movie, will be a super hit, provided special effects are of high quality. 

Why did I read this book?  Title, author.  

What I didn't like? Similarities with Harry Potter and Percy Jackson.

What did I like? Story, delivery, ideas and characters.

 A must read. I will wait for Book 2.